Overview

Thomas is a partner in Reminger’s Columbus office. His practice focuses on governmental/public entity liability, employment litigation, appellate advocacy, as well as a broad range of pre-suit investigative work and general litigation matters. Thomas advocates for his clients at every phase of litigation, with a proven track record at trial and on appeal. He has successfully tried cases throughout the state and prevailed on appeal, presenting complex arguments at every level, including the Ohio Supreme Court, the U.S. Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because effective representation starts before a case is ever filed, Thomas is a part of Reminger’s Rapid Response Team, assisting commercial trucking and general liability clients at the earliest phases of an incident, often responding on-site at all hours to advise clients during the immediate aftermath of a complex and catastrophic event.

Before joining Reminger, Thomas served for three years in the United States Navy as a military police officer and for seven years in uniformed civilian law enforcement. Over his decade in police work, Thomas obtained several certifications and served in a variety of roles ranging from use-of-force training to hostage negotiations. Thomas also served for six years as a police union steward for the nation’s largest federal employment union representing fellow officers in pursuing grievances and against adverse employment actions.

These practical experiences give Thomas a unique insight into public entity liability and employment defense.

Representative Experience

Briefed the Ohio Supreme Court on a certified conflict as to whether the medical claim statute of repose applies to wrongful death actions, contributing to a finding that it does, which reversed an unfavorable district court decision.  

Obtained summary judgment in favor of police department defending its field training program against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, disparate treatment, and retaliation. (Successfully defended result on appeal).

Obtained summary judgment in favor of municipal prosecutor and court clerk against federal privacy law claims. (Successfully defended result on appeal to the Sixth Circuit and briefed the denial of cert to the U.S. Supreme Court).

Received a unanimous defense verdict in favor of police department in alleged wrongful termination.

Honors & Recognitions

Recognized as a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine, 2024

Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, Outstanding Young Lawyer of 2022

Awarded Capital University Law School’s Dean’s Award for Excellence in Leadership and Academic Achievement, 2018

Admitted to the Order of the Barristers, 2018

Defense Logistic Agency’s Police Officer of the Year, 2014

Awarded Police Commendation Medal, 2014

Community & Professional

Ohio State Bar Association

Columbus Bar Association

American Bar Association

Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
Governmental Liability Committee Vice-Chair

Results

For a more complete list of trial results, please contact attorney.
  • Apr 3, 2024, Summary Judgment Granted
    Richland County Court of Common Pleas

    Motion for Summary Judgment granted in favor of a Board of Education, Superintendent, and five former/current Board members. The case involved seven different claims of defamation, slander, and libel, two invasion of privacy claims, an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim, three different claims of retaliation (First Amendment retaliation, retaliation under Title VII/R.C. Chapter 4112, and retaliation under the Ohio whistleblower statute), and a hostile work environment claim. 

  • Aug 23, 2023, Dismissal
    5th Dist. Ct. Appeals

    Secured a dismissal in favor of a township in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The Plaintiff was injured when they swerved off a county road, which was gravel, onto an embankment. They alleged our client was liable since an employee was operating a tractor that was in the process of grading the road. They claimed our client’s negligent positioning forced them off the road, causing injuries. Below, we secured dismissal in our client’s favor based on political subdivision immunity. The Fifth District affirmed that dismissal on two grounds. First, it held the township employee was engaged in the governmental function of grading the gravel road, which the township was statutorily duty-bound to perform. And second, the employee’s tractor was not an obstruction. As such, the township preserved its entitlement to immunity under R.C. 2744.03.

  • Feb 1, 2023, Motion For Summary Judgment
    Perry County, Ohio

    Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of trucking client. Plaintiff alleged that our client forced another driver off the road, resulting in significant injuries.

  • Oct 14, 2021
    US District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division

    Defense of the City of Frankfort, Indiana and their police officers in a Section 1983 case, with alleged claims of unlawful stop and arrest, unlawful use of force, unlawful search, malicious prosecution, and respondeat superior liability.

  • Jul 23, 2021, Motion For Summary Judgment
    Court of Common Pleas, Fayette County, Ohio
  • May 20, 2021
    Licking County Court of Common Pleas

    Defense of police department against sexual harassment claim.

  • Jan 20, 2021
    6th Circuit Court of Appeals

    First of its kind defense of Prosecutor and Clerk of Courts for publicly making a Plaintiff’s personal driver’s license and date of birth information available. 

  • Sep 29, 2020, Summary Judgment Granted

    Defense of a police excessive force case.

  • Aug 26, 2020, Summary Judgment Granted
    5th Dist. Ct. Appeals

    Summary judgment on gender discrimination and retaliation claims upheld involving a female police officer who was terminated at the end of her training phase

  • Jul 23, 2020
    Knox County
  • Mar 6, 2020, Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
    United States District Court Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division)

    Defense of police chief and captain against Fourteenth Amendment claim that the police department failed to adequately investigate the circumstances of the death of Plaintiff’s family member. 

  • Nov 18, 2019
    Franklin

    Prosecution of commercial business dispute claim

  • Oct 23, 2019
    Fairfield

    Defense of damages in an admitted liability auto accident.

  • Aug 27, 2019, Motion For Summary Judgment
    Licking

    Defense of gender discrimination case.

  • May 10, 2019, Reversed
    Bedford Municipal Court

    Successfully overturned Magistrate’s bench trial verdict awarding Plaintiff full damages, fees, and interest during oral arguments on objections and motion for a new trial. Immediately after, successfully argued for a directed Defense verdict based on the first trial’s transcript in lieu of a second trial.

News

Insights

Publications

Education

J.D., Capital University Law School, cum laude, 2018
President of the Student Bar Association

B.A., Criminal Justice, Ohio University, 2014

Admissions

  • State of Ohio, 2018
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 2018
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit 2019
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2019
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2021
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